1902: Thor Knutson, an immigrant from Norway, works as a dollar a day carpenter. His original goal is to earn enough to pay off his father's farm debts back in Norway. Eight years later, he meets his goal. Starting fresh, he then sets out to make his own goals and dreams a reality.
1914: Thor Knutson establishes Standard Construction Company with three partners.
1920: Thor buys out his partners' interest and forms a new corporation in 1923.
1914 to 1919: During the World War I, Standard Construction Co. is awarded $23 million in government contracts employing more than 3,000 men. Planes are able to use Wold Chamberlain Field when the company completes renovations in just two months.
1954: Thor's son, Donald, earns degrees in architecture and engineering from the University of Minnesota, the same year becoming president of Standard Construction Construction Co. at the age of 33.
1961 to 1975: The company obtains exclusive rights to a 16-block section of Minneapolis near Washington and Hennepin Avenues. Projects realized during this era include the Northwestern National Life Insurance building, Minneapolis Public Library, Federal Reserve Bank Building, the old Sheraton-Ritz Hotel and IBM buildings and the Northern States Power Co. building among others. In addition, they build the Northwest Airlines hangar, Hennepin Government Center and several hospitals.
1966: Company changes name to Knutson Construction.
1982: Knutson opens its Iowa City office.
1984: Donald's son Bruce becomes acting president, but architecture is his true passion.
1985: Donald Knutson retires and puts the company up for sale.
John Curry, president of Knutson from 1974-1983, purchases the company in partnership with Jim Michael, a lifelong college friend and a successful real estate and property developer across the United States.
John Curry becomes president and CEO and Jim Michael serves as chairman of Michael/Curry Companies, the new holding company for Knutson Construction.
1986: John's son, Steve, joins the company as Vice President and Assistant to the President.
1992: Steve Curry becomes the President and CEO of Knutson Construction.
1997: The Rochester Office is added to the Michael/Curry family.
2007: The Rochester Division celebrates its 10-year anniversary with a newly constructed office on Highway 52